We use cookies on this website to ensure we give you the best experience and to see how people use the site. The cookies cannot identify you. If you continue to use the site without changing your browser settings, we’ll assume you are happy with this.

Atlanta travel guide

Back in 1837 Atlanta was little more than a hamlet existing to
serve as a railway terminus; then came the Civil War that saw the
town burned to the ground. Undaunted by this tumultuous beginning,
the Atlanta of today bustles with close to 500,000 people, and has
been chosen by numerous leading international companies as the home
of their corporate or regional headquarters. The lively, thriving
city styles itself as the capital of the 'New South', and its
dramatic skyline is littered with gleaming skyscrapers.

Atlanta attracts visitors both for holidays and business, with
its plethora of entertainment, shopping and cultural attractions as
well as innumerable world-class convention and accommodation
venues. The downtown Peachtree Center pedestrianised precinct
covers about 14 blocks of retail space, including massive hotels,
dozens of restaurants and imposing office towers. There are also
plenty of museums, galleries and centres for performing arts, as
well as the world's largest aquarium.

Atlanta has not lost its pioneering southern spirit or charm
despite its modern guise, and the city's symbol of the phoenix
serves as an enduring reminder of its troubled past and bright
future. The energy that was embodied in its famous sons, Martin
Luther King, Jr and Ted Turner (founder of CNN) still crackles in
the air and the genteel olde-world atmosphere lingers in the
residential neighbourhoods. Above all, Atlanta radiates a warm
welcome in the true tradition of Southern hospitality.

Set in nine hectares (23 acres) of beautiful gardens, the
Atlanta History Center is the ideal place to soak up the rich
history of the state.

The main attractions are two historic homes, open to the public
offering informative guided tours. The Tullie Smith House
originally stood outside the city limits but has been relocated to
the History Center, along with its outbuildings. The house was
built in the 1840s and survived the near-total destruction of
Atlanta in 1864 when General William Sherman burned almost every
business and more than two thirds of the city's homes during his
infamous 'March to the Sea'. It was once the home of yeoman farmer
Robert Smith and his family, who owned 11 slaves and farmed on
about 324 hectares (800 acres). The farmhouse is typical of most in
Georgia at the time, despite popular belief that not all Georgians
owned large plantations and mansions.

The Swan House, built in 1928, is a grand Italianate mansion
that is an Atlanta landmark, once the home of Edward and Emily
Inman, heirs to a cotton brokerage fortune. The History Center also
features several other historic buildings and exhibitions.

In January 1929 a baby boy was born in an upstairs bedroom of a
house in Atlanta. Today the Victorian house is the centre of a
protected site dedicated to the memory of that baby, Martin Luther
King, who grew up to become America's Nobel prize-winning Civil
Rights leader.

A half-mile stretch of Auburn Avenue, including King's birth
home, the Ebenezer Baptist Church where he preached, and the
memorial tomb at the King Center where he is buried, has been
designated a historic site, drawing hundreds of visitors every day.
The exhibits contained within provide insight into the life and
times of this much-revered man. Tours are conducted every 30
minutes on a first-come first-serve basis.

In 1886 Jacob's Pharmacy, a small drugstore in Atlanta, began
selling a new headache and hangover tonic called 'Coca-Cola'. In
1891, entrepreneur Asa Candler paid $2,300 to acquire the rights of
what is now the world's most valuable brand. The following year he
founded the Coca-Cola Company.

The new, environmentally-friendly construction houses more than
just a museum dedicated to Coca-Cola; it is an entire soft-drink
experience. Thousands of Coke objects, trivia and memorabilia are
contained among the interactive exhibits in this building, backed
up by commercials, radio jingles, a 4-D theatre, tasting and a Pop
Culture Gallery.

In 1864 Kennesaw Mountain was the scene of a bloody Civil War
battle when General Sherman led his Union forces against the
entrenched Confederate forces at the site, resulting in the death
of more than 67,000 soldiers.

The park consists of several thousand acres of protected land,
covered with more than 17 miles (27km) of interpretive walking
trails. The trails encompass historic earthworks and cannon
placements, and notable markers and memorials have been provided to
commemorate the event.

A small museum at the site displays Civil War artefacts, and a
visitor's centre provides information about the battle on the site.
This popular park is visited by more than a million people each
year, many of whom come to picnic and enjoy the views afforded
across Atlanta.

A highlight of the Atlanta Botanical Garden is the Fuqua
Conservatory, a giant greenhouse enclosing different
climate-controlled eco-systems that was financed by an Atlanta
businessman in memory of his wife. A walk through the conservatory
takes visitors from a desert into a steamy tropical jungle.
Outdoors the gardens are criss-crossed with dedicated nature walks,
bypassing many quiet spots designed for peaceful contemplation, as
well as tasteful garden sculptures.

Originally built for the 1996 Olympic Games in Atlanta, Turner
Field was converted after the event to serve as the home of major
league baseball team the Atlanta Braves. Affectionately known as
'The Ted', the attractive open-air stadium is a great place to
spend a hot summer night in Atlanta, the stadium is also home to
the Ivan Allen Jr. Braves Museum and Hall of Fame, with exhibits on
famous Braves players like Greg Maddux, Bobby Cox, and Hank Aaron,
as well as Braves owner (and stadium namesake) Ted Turner.

The impressive Georgia Aquarium is the largest of its kind and
boasts over 100,000 animals from 500 species. A range of different
environments play host to fascinating animals from around the
world, from whale sharks and manta rays, to sea lions and sea
otters, penguins, sharks and a riot of colourful fish. The Aquarium
also has a 4-D theatre that features an animated 3-D film,
interactive seats and live actors; a café and the Ocean Ballroom
for special events. A popular attraction is the Dolphin Tales show,
which features choreographed musical performances with both human
and animal stars.

Atlantas's High Museum of Art is home to more than 12,000 pieces
in its permanent collection and includes 19th and 20th century
American and decorative art, important and visiting European
collections, as well as contemporary art and photography, and
African folk art. The museum has an impressive collection of Civil
Rights photography.

Atlanta's Fox Theatre, which is often promoted as the Fabulous
Fox, is one of the magnificent movie palaces built in the United
States during the 1920s. The theatre's unique beginnings and
Moorish design set it apart from other theatres of that period.
Today it hosts an array of artistic and cultural events, including
a summer film series, the Atlanta Ballet and performances by
national touring companies of Broadway shows.

The Imagine It! Children's Museum of Atlanta is one of the most
fascinating places parents on holiday in the city can take their
younger kids for a day of exploring, learning and discovering. With
exciting interactive exhibits such as the Curious George Gallery or
exploring trees, children also get the opportunity to paint the
walls, crawl through a playground or even don a raincoat and play
in a forest stream.

Zoo Atlanta features around 1,000 animals representing 250
species from around the world and sees over 1 million tourists
every year. Founded in 1889, the zoo has become one of Atlanta's
top family attractions with exhibitions on the African rainforest,
a free-flying parakeet enclosure, and a reptile house.

Children will absolutely love discovering all the animals and
even some slightly more exotic ones such as the giant pandas,
Sumatran tigers, clouded leopards, and komodo dragons. The zoo also
has the country's largest collection of gorillas and
orangutans.

For smaller children there is a petting zoo which allows kids to
interact with goats, pigs and sheep.

A great day out for kids of all ages, Six Flags Over Georgia is
a fantastic amusement park filled with rides and thrills for just
about every child to enjoy. Try the Acrophobia, the Superman, the
Batman or the Goliath for the really adventurous, while younger
tots will enjoy the Thomas the Tank Engine ride, Up UP and Away and
the River Carousel.

Although it doesn't sound like much of a tourist drawcard,
visitors to the Federal Reserve Bank are unanimous in their
enthusiasm about the fascinating Monetary Museum found there.

Whether part of a guided group tour (recommended for scholarly
types), or just perusing the exhibitions on one's own, a visit to
the Federal Reserve Bank is bound to instil in visitors a renewed
appreciation for the rich history that informs present-day money
use in America.

Tour highlights include an extensive 'History of Money'
exhibition, displaying antiquated currency from all over the world;
interactive, multimedia displays that teach you how to spot
counterfeit money; the opportunity to lift a $450,000 gold bar; and
a free bag of shredded money to take home as a souvenir.

Visitors are guaranteed to leave the tour with a better
understanding of the role that money plays in their everyday
lives.

Opening time: Tours are offered from Monday to Friday, at 9:30am,
11am, and 1pm. Tours must be requested, by filling in a form on the
Federal Reserve Bank website. Self-guided tours are possible Monday
to Friday 9am-4pm. Self-guided tours are limited to the Visitor's
Centre and the Monetary Museum, and do not need to be scheduled in
advance.

Ebenezer Baptist Church

Though small, Ebenezer Baptist Church has played a large role in
America's history. Founded in 1886, the church functioned as the
epicentre of the Civil Rights Movement in the 1960s. Martin Luther
King Jr acted as co-pastor from 1960 to 1968, and worked toward
equal rights for African-Americans during this time. The church has
a new premises across the street, but visitors can still tour the
old sanctuary where King preached.

Annual events surrounding Martin Luther King, Jr. Day in January
typically draw large crowds. Past speakers have included US
Presidents, national and local politicians, and civil rights
leaders. Remembrances are also held during Black History Month
(February), and the anniversary of King's assassination on April 4,
1968.

One of the most exciting cities in the United States, Atlanta is
a great place for children on holiday to explore and enjoy. Steeped
in a rich and diverse cultural and political history, kids can
learn and discover while having a great time sightseeing - what
more could a parent ask for?

Pack a picnic basket and blanket and head off to the Atlanta
Botanical Gardens for a day of sunshine and fresh air, or for a
slightly more active day, take the kids to the Six Flags Over
Georgia Theme Park where plenty of fun and screams can be had
enjoying the rides on offer. The Fernbank Science Center is a must
for all inquiring minds and the wonderful outdoor trails to be
enjoyed are great for kids of all ages, while the neighbouring
Fernbank Museum of Natural History will simply amaze all who visit.
Stone Mountain Park is must, where mountain trails abound, and
after a day in the great outdoors, children will love the laser
light show in the evening.

On quieter, days or when the weather is bad and outdoor
activities with the kids is not an option, take the kids to one of
the fantastic museums such as the Imagine It! Children's Museum of
Atlanta where kids can crawl, paint, play and enjoy all the
fascinating exhibits on display. Most of the shopping malls in
Atlanta feature indoor playgrounds, but one of the favourite has to
be HippoHopp Indoor Playground, where kids will have fun jumping,
climbing and playing on inflatable equipment.

World Of Coca-Cola

In 1886 Jacob's Pharmacy, a small drugstore in Atlanta, began
selling a new headache and hangover tonic called 'Coca-Cola'. In
1891, entrepreneur Asa Candler paid $2,300 to acquire the rights of
what is now the world's most valuable brand. The following year he
founded the Coca-Cola Company.

The new, environmentally-friendly construction houses more than
just a museum dedicated to Coca-Cola; it is an entire soft-drink
experience. Thousands of Coke objects, trivia and memorabilia are
contained among the interactive exhibits in this building, backed
up by commercials, radio jingles, a 4-D theatre, tasting and a Pop
Culture Gallery.

A highlight of the Atlanta Botanical Garden is the Fuqua
Conservatory, a giant greenhouse enclosing different
climate-controlled eco-systems that was financed by an Atlanta
businessman in memory of his wife. A walk through the conservatory
takes visitors from a desert into a steamy tropical jungle.
Outdoors the gardens are criss-crossed with dedicated nature walks,
bypassing many quiet spots designed for peaceful contemplation, as
well as tasteful garden sculptures.

The impressive Georgia Aquarium is the largest of its kind and
boasts over 100,000 animals from 500 species. A range of different
environments play host to fascinating animals from around the
world, from whale sharks and manta rays, to sea lions and sea
otters, penguins, sharks and a riot of colourful fish. The Aquarium
also has a 4-D theatre that features an animated 3-D film,
interactive seats and live actors; a café and the Ocean Ballroom
for special events. A popular attraction is the Dolphin Tales show,
which features choreographed musical performances with both human
and animal stars.

Address: 225 Baker Street, Pemberton Place
Transport:
The Aquarium is connected to the Five Points MARTA Train
station by bus.;
Opening time:
Sunday to Friday 10am-8pm, Saturday 9am-8pm. Extended
hours apply during holidays.

Imagine It! Childrens Museum of Atlanta

The Imagine It! Children's Museum of Atlanta is one of the most
fascinating places parents on holiday in the city can take their
younger kids for a day of exploring, learning and discovering. With
exciting interactive exhibits such as the Curious George Gallery or
exploring trees, children also get the opportunity to paint the
walls, crawl through a playground or even don a raincoat and play
in a forest stream.

Zoo Atlanta features around 1,000 animals representing 250
species from around the world and sees over 1 million tourists
every year. Founded in 1889, the zoo has become one of Atlanta's
top family attractions with exhibitions on the African rainforest,
a free-flying parakeet enclosure, and a reptile house.

Children will absolutely love discovering all the animals and
even some slightly more exotic ones such as the giant pandas,
Sumatran tigers, clouded leopards, and komodo dragons. The zoo also
has the country's largest collection of gorillas and
orangutans.

For smaller children there is a petting zoo which allows kids to
interact with goats, pigs and sheep.

A great day out for kids of all ages, Six Flags Over Georgia is
a fantastic amusement park filled with rides and thrills for just
about every child to enjoy. Try the Acrophobia, the Superman, the
Batman or the Goliath for the really adventurous, while younger
tots will enjoy the Thomas the Tank Engine ride, Up UP and Away and
the River Carousel.

Home and birthplace of the iconic Martin Luther King Jr, Atlanta
is far from short on history and culture, and some of the city's
best attractions bear testament to this. Visitors need look no
further than Atlanta for exciting stories of the American South and
for some of the United States' finest cultural exports, such as the
Atlanta Symphony Orchestra.

History buffs will love the countless museums this city has to
offer, from the Martin Luther King Jr National Historic Site and
the Atlanta History Center, to the Atlanta Cyclorama and Civil War
Museum and the Carter Center. A trip to the World of Coca-Cola is a
must for lovers of the world's best known brand, while kids of all
ages will love the Georgia Aquarium and Zoo Atlanta, which features
a panda exhibition. Wander through the Botanical Gardens or ponder
at the magnificent artwork in the High Museum of Art - the choices
are endless!

An Atlanta CityPass can be bought for approximately $78 for
adults and $63 for children and is valid for nine days. The pass
allows the bearer free admission to six of the city's top
attractions. The CityPass booklet provides attraction information,
transport directions and best times to visit as well as coupons and
other special features.

Stone Mountain Park

Stone Mountain is situated about 20 minutes from Atlanta and
features numerous man-made and natural attractions. Most awesome of
these is the huge relief carving of the three Southern heroes of
the Civil War, which has been etched into the mountainside. The
images of Confederate President Jefferson Davis, and Generals
Robert E. Lee and Thomas J. 'Stonewall' Jackson cover an area
larger than a football field and are part of the largest relief
sculpture in the world. Three sculptors worked in succession on the
carving, beginning with Gutzon Borglum in 1915. He later became
famed for his carvings at Mount Rushmore. Subsequently two other
artists pursued the work that was completed finally in 1972.
Visitors can either walk up the mountain or take the Skylift to the
top from where the views of Atlanta and the Appalachian Mountains
are incredible. Stone Mountain also features a restored Antebellum
Plantation featuring a colonial mansion, slave cabins, coach houses
and barns. The park also contains several lakes and hiking trails,
a wildlife reserve and petting zoo.

Opening time: Daily from 10am; closing hours vary according to the
season and attraction. Summit Skyride opens daily from 10am to 5pm,
with extended hours in summer and on holidays

Jonesboro

About 15 miles (24km) south of Atlanta in Clayton County is the
town of Jonesboro, a not-to-be-missed destination for movie fans
and those hankering for a taste of the real 'Deep South'.

Jonesboro was the setting for Margaret Mitchell's acclaimed
novel, and later film, Gone with the Wind and devotees come to see
the local historic plantation houses and learn about the real
people whose lives inspired the fictional characters of the
novel.

In Main Street, the Road to Tara Museum is housed in the
Jonesboro Depot Welcome Centre, containing original props, costume
reproductions, doll collections and an extensive photo gallery
associated with the making of the movie, Gone with the Wind.

The Welcome Depot is also the departure point for daily tours,
starting at 1pm (except on Sundays), that take in the local scenes
where the film was shot and offer a behind-the-scenes glimpse into
the true life stories on which the book was based.

In Carriage Drive, a beautiful Greek Revival plantation home
dating from 1839 is open to the public along with its authentic
outbuildings.

Northern Georgia is hilly and mountainous, dotted with numerous
small towns, fascinating historic sites, national parks and
forests.

Among the highlights of an exploration of this region are the
New Echota State Historic Site (the last capital of the Cherokee
nation); Chickamauga at Fort Oglethorpe, which is the oldest and
largest Civil War military park; Jasper, where the marble quarries
produced the marble used in the Capitol in Washington, DC; the Blue
Ridge Scenic Railway, at the end of the Appalachian Highway; and
the spectacular Tallulah Gorge near the town of Clayton.

The northwestern Georgia region is a paradise for nature lovers,
offering hundreds of wooded hiking trails, sparkling trout streams,
scenic lakes and camp sites. Most of the towns and attractions are
within an hour's drive of Atlanta, making them perfect day trips or
weekend breaks from the city.

Spring is certainly sprung with great gusto in historic Inman
Park each year. The neighbourhood, located just to the east of
downtown Atlanta, was one of America's first garden suburbs and is
listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Every year the
locals enthusiastically put on a festival during the last weekend
in April, delighting spectators with a colourful parade of floats,
marching bands, entertainers and all manner of quirky participants.
The festival also includes a huge street market and the 'Tour of
Homes', when locals open up their homes ranging from Victorian
bungalows to modern lofts, to the public. There is also live
entertainment in many guises, from ballet to rock, and a host of
activities like pony rides and rock climbing. The festival hotline
is (770) 242 4895.

The October Scarecrow Festival, held annually at the Atlanta
Botanical Gardens, hosts a series of events and activities for
families. See over 50 weird, wonderful and sometimes scary
scarecrows created by the locals. The special events held every
weekend in October include games, storytelling and scarecrow
crafts. The festival culminates in a children's costume party, with
lots of Halloween treats and entertainment.

The annual Atlanta Jazz Festival is a 31-day series of events
featuring internationally celebrated jazz artists, which has
included the likes of Miles Davis, Nina Simone, Hugh Masekela and
Dr John. It claims to be the nation's largest free jazz festival,
with jazz playing throughout the city at restaurants, clubs,
museums, parks, churches and department stores, with a special
focus on the three-day festival of performances in Woodruff Park at
the end of the month over the Memorial Day weekend.

The US Masters Tournament (referred to simply as The Masters) is
one of golf's four major championships. Unlike the other three
'majors,' the Open, The US Open and the PGA Championship, this
tournament is held at the same venue each year, the Augusta
National Golf Club. The Masters was begun in 1934 by Bobby Jones
and Clifford Roberts, two amateur golfers who wanted to provide a
service to the sport by creating the Augusta National Invitation
Tournament. It was only in 1939 that the tournament became referred
to as The Masters Tournament. Augusta National Golf Cub is
equidistant from Atlanta and Savannah.

Peach Drop, first held in 1989, takes place on New Year's Eve at
Underground Atlanta. This is an all-day event with a variety of
live entertainment, food stalls and activities to occupy the whole
family, imaginatively culminating in a splendid fireworks display
and the fantastic 58-second descent of a giant peach.

Offering just about every type of cuisine under the sun, eating
out in Atlanta is a sensory explosion and visitors with a taste for
excitement and variety won't be disappointed. One of the fastest
growing metropolitan areas in the United States and the third
largest city in the country, there are a lot of restaurants to feed
a lot of people in Atlanta!

Atlanta locals love to dine out so visitors can expect
restaurants to be bustling and dripping with atmosphere. From
traditional Southern cooking like fried chicken, shrimp, fish and
okra to the legendary peaches, pecans, peanuts and Vidalia onions
that Georgia is known for, the food in Atlanta is second to none.
Be sure to sample some peach cobbler and a slice of pecan nut pie
for good measure.

You can't beat the hospitality of the south and the quality of
the food isn't far behind. Head to Buckhead for trendy eateries and
good home-cooked food, while Decatur, Midtown and Virginia-Highland
can't be beat when it comes to international cuisine. Most of
Atlanta's finest restaurants require reservations and it is
customary to tip waiters about 15 percent, while in expensive
restaurants, tipping anything up to 20 percent is the norm.

Haven

In an ambience thick and tightly packed room the trendiest
diners in Atlanta share American cuisine with local Georgian
ingredients. An open kitchen adds to the lively setting which bills
itself rather perfectly as an 'upscale urban eatery' although a
local neighbourhood feel also persists. Reservations should be made
for daily lunch and dinner.

Burger aficionados will literally have their hands full on Ann's
famous Ghetto Burger, a monstrous pile of ingredients consistently
chosen as the best burger in all of America. Ann's Snack Bar churns
out delicious fast food treats to locals and the lucky few
out-of-towners who catch wind of her fryer. Its all made to go as
the small establishment can't fit more than a few patrons at a
time. Monday through Saturday 11am to 7pm.

Address: 1615 Memorial Dr;

Mary Macs

It is a classic not to be missed institution of southern dining
and a litany of celebrity patrons and their pictures on the wall
would attest to it. Hearty southern meals like fried chicken and
barbecue are big pieces of evidence that cooking doesn't need to be
fancy to be downright delicious. Open seven days a week 11am to
9pm.

Bone's is Atlanta's most famous steakhouse; a key lunch venue
for important people, from presidents to businessmen and
celebrities, with a masculine, club setting. Bone's serves the best
prime-aged Iowa beef, prepared exactly as ordered. The lamb chops
are another delicious option, as is the Maine lobster. Decadent
desserts include Mountain-high Pie (layers of chocolate chip, rum
raisin and vanilla ice cream). The wine gallery has hundreds of
excellent wines, specialising in French and Californian bottles.
Lighter entrees are on the menu for lunch and Bone's is open daily
for lunch (except Saturday and Sunday) and dinner.

Address: 3130 Piedmont Road;

Sotto Sotto

Sotto Sotto('hush hush' in Italian), the noise is
incredible; this is the place of the moment and an energetic crowd
all seem happy to shout at one another over their seafood risotto.
The wood-roasted fish is Sotto Sotto's specialty, and the rich
chocolate soup, with dark Belgian chocolate, hazelnut whipped cream
and sugar croutons is delectable. The bartender makes an excellent
martini and the all-Italian wine list is extensive. Sotto Sotto is
open all week from 5.30pm till late.

Address: 313 North Highland Ave;

Murphys

Murphy's was a wine-and-cheese shop and evolved into a
restaurant and bakery with a cozy atmosphere; one of the most
popular venues in Atlanta for brunch. The bakery/wine shop has
display cases overflowing with pastries, crusty fresh-baked breads
and luscious desserts. For dinner, Murphy's offers a variety of
entrees, including sautéed rainbow trout with sweet-potato hash;
there's also a good selection of pastas, salads, waffles and
pancakes. Murphy's is open all week till late.

Hidden on a secluded industrial street, in a renovated
warehouse, the Floataway Café opened in 1998. The menu changes
daily, with fresh and local organic produce and unusual ingredients
being the order of the day. Enjoy succulent wood-grilled or roasted
meats and seafood or homemade pastas; grilled steak with pommes
frites and red-wine shallot butter is a house speciality. The wine
list is quite international and complements the food beautifully.
Floataway Café is open Tuesday to Saturday, from 5.30pm to
10pm.

The heat makes for a lethargic day, but the night air opens the
bright doors of Atlanta's night owl hotspots. This flashy city can
get downright gritty but in both cosmopolitan bars and street side
clubs it is best to come dressed to impress.

Buckhead is a good place to start. The area has a festive night
scene with a line of hopping nightclubs and rowdy bars. Here are
dance clubs, pubs and a bit of something for everyone, although
venues close at 3am. Downtown has some chic lounges and cocktail
bars, especially in the large hotels. For a bit of trendy Atlanta
nightlife, the Virginia Highlands regularly packs a young
professional crowd into stylish clubs.

Smaller venues scattered around the city are perfect to revel in
a bit of southern baritone blues. Others prefer one of four huge
concert venues, part of any major band's American tour. Of course,
Atlanta hip-hop features many clubs with line-ups of rising and
returning stars.

Shopping in Atlanta is more of an activity than a pastime and
with so much on offer, Atlanta's shopping malls, boutiques and
markets are more than enough to meet every shopaholic's needs.

Head to Buckhead for some first class shopping opportunities or
discover the trendiest boutiques, which can be found in Decatur,
Virginia-Highland and Little Five Points. Some of Atlanta's best
buys can be found at Lenox Square which is anchored by
Bloomingdale's, Neiman Marcus and Macy's and features almost 250
specialty stores and a number of restaurants for weary shoppers to
rest their legs.

For budget buys head to the North Georgia Outlets where just
about anything under the sun can be found for a bargain. Most
people won't leave without buying something. In addition to
countless shopping malls, Atlanta also has some wonderful flea
markets where antiques are a popular buy. Don't be afraid to haggle
with the sellers as you are guaranteed to find some steals!

Most shops in Atlanta are open from Monday to Saturday from 10am
to 9pm and on Sundays from 12pm to 6pm. The sales tax varies by
city and state in the US and ranges from 4 percent to 15 percent.
This is added to the price of goods at the point of purchase.

There is no system for refunding non-US visitors in Atlanta but
large and expensive purchases are often tax-exempt if they are
shipped from outside the state they are bought in.

Location: The airport is situated 10 miles (16km) south of downtown
Atlanta.Time: GMT -5 (GMT -4 from March to
November).Contacts: Tel: +1 404 209 1910 or 530 7300.Transfer between terminals: The two terminals and six concourses are connected by an
Automated People Mover which operates approximately every two
minutes. A fifteen minute shuttle ride connects the International
Terminal with the Domestic Terminal's ground transportation
area.Getting to the city: The airport is serviced by the trains and buses of the local
Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority (MARTA). Tickets to
downtown Atlanta cost $2.50 and the journey takes around 20
minutes. Other options like taxis, shuttles and limousines are all
available at the Ground Transportation Center, located near the
baggage claim area of the arrival's lobby.Car rental: Car rental companies represented at the airport include Avis,
Budget, Dollar, Enterprise, Hertz, National and Thrifty.Airport Taxis: Taxis are available at the Ground Transportation Center, located
near the baggage claim area of the arrivals lobby. The fixed fare
from the airport to downtown Atlanta is $30 and a $2-per-person fee
applies for two or more passengers. Facilities: The airport offers more than 200 concessions for services, food,
beverages, and retail shopping. Additional services include
currency exchange offices and ATMs, internet access, meeting rooms
and cell phone hire. Other facilities include an interfaith chapel,
smoking lounges, a post office and concierge services. Parking: Parking is charged at $3 per hour for all lots, however daily
rates range from $16 to $36 depending on their distance from the
terminal. The hourly parking lots located in front of each terminal
are the most convenient parking for picking up or dropping off.
There are also daily lots adjacent to the airport's main terminal
and economy lots nearby. The Park & Ride lots are the cheapest
option and are connected by regular shuttle buses. Website:www.atlanta-airport.com

Atlanta's trains and buses reach most parts of the city, but
they are not always the most convenient way to get around, and
services are limited outside of the immediate city limits. The
MARTA (Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority) network is
inexpensive, safe and well-integrated, but travel can be slow. A
one-way MARTA pass, good for travel anywhere on the system, costs
around $2.50. There are weekly, weekend and visitor's passes
available for various rates.

Atlanta is a car-dominated city, so there is plenty of parking,
especially at tourist sights, but traffic on the freeways and in
the city centre can be very busy, particularly during rush hours.
During conventions and big sporting and entertainment events, it is
easier to use public transport to get around. 'The Buc' is operated
by BATMA; it is a free shuttle service connecting the two MARTA
rail stations with many hotels, shopping areas and businesses in
the city.

Taxis are available, but it is easier to order one by phone than
to find one on the street; they can also be found in taxi stands
around the city. Visitors should be cautious of unlicensed taxis,
and women travelling alone at night should order taxis by
phone.

Atlanta has four distinct seasons, and a humid subtropical
climate. Winters (December to February) are very cold with
temperatures below freezing for much of the time, but the daytime
weather is mild enough to sit outdoors, with only an occasional
snowfall. Summers (June to August), by contrast, can be hot and
humid with heat wave spells lasting days at a time. In mid-summer
the average high temperature is 88°F (31°C), and in mid-winter the
average low temperature is 32°F (0°C). Atlanta receives abundant
rainfall, which is evenly distributed throughout the year.